Patents by Inventor Mark Alexander

Mark Alexander has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130277140
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprises a reflex port located within the enclosure at a point substantially co-incident with a nodal surface of at least one resonant mode within the enclosure. The amplitude of that resonance at the input to the duct is minimised, hence assisting in filtering out the effect of that resonance without needing absorptive material. Ideally, it is placed at the intersection of two or more nodal surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Dodd
  • Patent number: 8555339
    Abstract: A technique that identifies registered or guest users in web meetings of the type wherein users must follow a supplied URL to attend the meeting. Registered and guest users are provided different forms of the meeting invite URL. Each registered user receives a common web meeting link (a URL) that he must follow to join the meeting. This link forces the registered user to authenticate to the service when used. A guest user invitee receives a unique URL for the meeting that is generated with a nonce value associated with the guess user's contact information. The nonce value does not expose the contact information. To join the meeting, each registered user must follow the common web meeting link and authenticate to the service. True identities of the web meeting participants are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alexander McGloin, Olgierd Stanislaw Pieczul, Mary Ellen Zurko
  • Patent number: 8521485
    Abstract: Approaches for analyzing a power grid of an integrated circuit are described. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at least one portion of the integrated circuit to be analyzed. A power grid model corresponding to the integrated circuit is retrieved from a database, and a first simulation of the programmable integrated circuit is performed. The first simulation generates a respective waveform of an electrical characteristic over time for each connection of a component within the selected portion to voltage supply or voltage ground. A simulation is performed of the power grid model using the respective waveforms as input stimulus for each connection in the selected portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Alexander, Austin Tavares
  • Publication number: 20130179941
    Abstract: A technique that identifies registered or guest users in web meetings of the type wherein users must follow a supplied URL to attend the meeting. Registered and guest users are provided different forms of the meeting invite URL. Each registered user receives a common web meeting link (a URL) that he must follow to join the meeting. This link forces the registered user to authenticate to the service when used. A guest user invitee receives a unique URL for the meeting that is generated with a nonce value associated with the guess user's contact information. The nonce value does not expose the contact information. To join the meeting, each registered user must follow the common web meeting link and authenticate to the service. True identities of the web meeting participants are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Alexander McGloin, Olgierd Stanislaw Pieczul, Mary Ellen Zurko
  • Patent number: 8467499
    Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator for a radiotherapy apparatus comprises a plurality of elongate leaves mounted in a carriage, the carriage being mounted on a substrate, wherein the leaves are independently moveable relative to the carriage in a longitudinal direction, and the carriage is moveable in that direction relative to the substrate, and a control apparatus is arranged to receive a signal representing leaf positions relative to the substrate and to control the leaf positions relative to the carriage and the carriage positions relative to the substrate so as to achieve those leaf positions relative to the substrate. Most MLCs sense the current positions of the leaves relative to the substrate. The control apparatus can therefore compare the current leaf positions to the signaled leaf positions, and move the leaves and the carriage accordingly. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Furth, Adrian Maxwell Smith
  • Patent number: 8424514
    Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: John David Oates, Mark David Buckley, Philip Rodney Kwok, Mark Alexander Abourizk, Thomas Evan Miller, Simone Marie Jeha, Mark John Payne, Muditha Pradeep Dantanarayana
  • Patent number: 8423440
    Abstract: A computer assisted method for facilitating transfers between financial accounts. The method includes accepting a funds transfer request via the selection of an icon, by a user, wherein the icon represents a designated transfer of a predetermined amount of funds between a funding account and at least one receiving account. The method further includes transferring the amount of funds from the funding account to the at least one receiving account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Mackrell, Michael Ley, Peter Ehling, Michael Aaron Chapman, Mark Alexander Jones, Rodney Hal Monson
  • Publication number: 20130088294
    Abstract: An amplifier may include two or more pulse-width modulators controlling respective sets of switches to produce an amplified version of a source signal. A positive DC-offset based on the source signal may be applied to the pulse-width modulator controlling one respective set of switches, and an equal value negative DC-offset may be applied to the pulse-width modulator controlling the other respective set of switches, to provide an effective offset between the respective points in time of the rising/falling edges of the different pulse-width modulated control signals. The addition of alternating positive and negative DC-offset values doesn't affect the output load, and doesn't degrade the signal. The DC-offsets may be added at a frequency selected to be beyond the signal baseband, and the value of the small input signal level may be determined using an RMS level comparator or similar measurement technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas E. Heineman, Mark A. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20130088296
    Abstract: An amplifier may include two or more pulse-width modulators (PWMs) controlling respective sets of switches to produce an amplified version of a source signal. The clocking for the amplifier may be controlled to delay signal processing within the PWMs relative to one another in time, thereby providing an effective time offset between the respective edge transitions of the controlling signals provided to the respective sets of switches. The PWMs may count down to zero from the next PWM duty-cycle value when a new data sample is detected, beginning a new count for each new sample, with the PWM outputting a pulse when the counter value is nonzero. A “data-sample-ready” signal may be decoded from a master counter, which may be clocked based on the high speed PWM clock, and the decode value may be adjusted to determine when the PWM should initialize to the next data sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas E. Heineman, Mark A. Alexander
  • Patent number: 8412497
    Abstract: Predicting simultaneous switching output noise of an IC device is described. User input is obtained. The user input includes: an identification of an input/output bank of an integrated circuit die; an identification of a device package substrate to which the integrated circuit die is to be attached; and an identification of input/output interface to be used by the input/output bank. A noise factor and an impedance are selected responsive to the user input. The noise factor is multiplied with the impedance to provide a result. The result, which is output, is a prediction of the simultaneous switching output noise of the integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20130070953
    Abstract: A loudspeaker radiating diaphragm can be stiffened to help increase the breakup frequency to above the working frequency range of the driver concerned, by forming it of a moulded part and an attached formed part. The moulded part is a radiating surface with stiffening ribs. The formed part is a thin surface of high modulus material, attached to the rear of the ribs. The overall structure can have significantly higher stiffness than either of the two parts. This helps in designing a loudspeaker driver that does not breakup within its working frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Dodd, Jack Anthony Oclee-Brown, Julia Davidson
  • Patent number: 8401938
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for requesting a transfer of funds between a first party a second party: the methods may comprise receiving from the first party an instruction to initiate a transfer request and an electronic copy of a bill associated with the transfer request. The methods may also comprise receiving from the first party a text message associated with the transfer request and an indication of at least a second party who is a recipient of the transfer request. In addition, the methods may comprise posting the transfer request to an account of the second party. The transfer request may comprise the electronic copy of the bill associated with the transfer request, and the text message associated with the transfer request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Aaron Chapman, Hyun Jin Ko, Rodney Hal Monson, Mark Alexander Jones, Bryan L. Mackrell, Michael Ley
  • Publication number: 20130014239
    Abstract: A user authenticates to a Web- or cloud-based application from a browser-based client. The browser-based client has an associated rich client. After a session is initiated from the browser-based client (and a credential obtained), the user can discover that the rich client is available and cause it to obtain the credential (or a new one) for use in authenticating the user to the application (using the rich client) automatically, i.e., without additional user input. An application interface provides the user with a display by which the user can configure the rich client authentication operation, such as specifying whether the rich client should be authenticated automatically if it detected as running, whether and what extent access to the application by the rich client is to be restricted, if and when access to the application by the rich client is to be revoked, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Olgierd Stanislaw Pieczul, Mark Alexander McGloin, Mary Ellen Zurko
  • Patent number: 8258845
    Abstract: The relative timing of triggering switching events in a circuit block of an IC device is dynamically adjusted in response to fluctuations in device's supply voltage to minimize clock jitter caused by supply voltage noise. A control circuit monitors supply voltage fluctuations, and in response thereto dynamically phase-shifts a clock signal that triggers the switching events so that the switching events occur during relatively quiet time intervals in which fluctuations in the supply voltage are minimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Alexander, Sean A. Koontz
  • Patent number: 8254637
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a mask system for a patient are provided. Certain example embodiments include generating 3D contours of patients and selecting mask systems based at least on these contours. These contours may be generated by using, for example, a cushion of translatable pins, a nasal cannular scanning device, and/or a shadow stereopsis sensor. Certain other example embodiments allow images and/or videos to be captured and optionally synchronized. Then, images of various mask systems may be overlaid to determine how well a mask system fits. In still other embodiments, a user can hold a transparency corresponding to a mask design in front of the patient's face to determine how well a mask system fits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Abourizk, Paul Anthony Green, Robert Edward Henry, Karthikeyan Selvarajan, Joanne Elizabeth Drew
  • Patent number: 8246521
    Abstract: The present invention is a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus and method of use. The apparatus is adapted to provide a challenging game for a participant that causes the participant to jump from a first location to a second location in response to predetermined signals. The apparatus provides for timed score keeping and may be used by a single individual or by groups of individuals in competitive play. While use of the apparatus is entertaining for the participant, it also improves the participant's jumping ability, speed, reaction time, and physical endurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Alexander, Jerry K. Leipheimer, John M. Salvitti
  • Publication number: 20120190006
    Abstract: The invention relates to optoelectronic systems for detecting one or more target particles. The system includes a reaction chamber, a specimen collector, an optical detector, and a reservoir containing cells, each of the cells having receptors which are present on the surface of each cell and are specific for the target particle to be detected, where binding of the target particle to the receptors directly or indirectly activates a reporter molecule, thereby producing a measurable optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: James Douglas Harper, Richard Hart Mathews, Bernadette Johnson, Martha Susan Petrovick, Ann Rundell, Frances Ellen Nargi, Timothy Stephens, Linda Marie Mendenhall, Mark Alexander Hollis, Albert M. Young, Todd H. Rider, Eric David Schwoebel, Trina Rae Vian
  • Patent number: 8229806
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods of tracking customer spending and income are provided. The methods may comprise aggregating spending transactions by estimating income to a customer during a first time period. The methods may also comprise displaying a user interface to the customer. The user interface may comprise a first bar indicating customer income and a second bar indicating customer spending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Aaron Chapman, Hyun Jin Ko, Rodney Hal Monson, Mark Alexander Jones, Bryan L. Mackrell, Michael S. Ley, Thomas S. Kunz
  • Publication number: 20120172229
    Abstract: The present invention comprises formulations for use as pesticides and their applications. The formulations include a monoalkylsulfosuccinnate as a hydrotrope. The pesticide may be a herbicide comprising glufosinate-ammonium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Giao Vinh Nguyen, Mark Alexander
  • Publication number: 20120151568
    Abstract: A rich client performs single sign-on (SSO) to access a web- or cloud-based application. According to the described SSO approach, the rich client delegates to its native application server the task of obtaining a credential, such as a SAML assertion. The native server, acting on behalf of the user, obtains an assertion from a federated identity provider (IdP) that is then returned to the rich client. The rich client provides the assertion to a cloud-based proxy, which presents the assertion to an identity manager to attempt to prove that the user is entitled to access the web- or cloud-based application using the rich client. If the assertion can be verified, it is exchanged with a signed token, such as a token designed to protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF). The rich client then accesses the web- or cloud-based application making a REST call that includes the signed token. The application, which recognizes the request as trustworthy, responds to the call with the requested data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Olgierd Stanislaw Pieczul, Mark Alexander McGloin, Mary Ellen Zurko, David Scott Kern, Brent Allan Hepburn